Europe: CRH confirms interest in LafargeHolcim divestments

Responding to the recent press speculation, Ireland-based building materials group CRH plc has confirmed that it is in discussions with Lafarge and Holcim regarding the potential acquisition of certain assets being disposed of by Lafarge and Holcim in advance of their proposed merger.

In December 2014, The European Commission, the European Union's antitrust authority, said that it approved the proposed merger of French cement giant Lafarge SA with Swiss peer Holcim Ltd, subject to asset sales by both companies in regions where their activities overlap.

The European Commission or EC's approval of the merger was conditional upon the divestment of Lafarge's businesses in Germany, Romania and the UK. Holcim was required to divest its operations in France, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain and the Czech Republic.